Smokey Lentil Soup

This is one of my new favorite soups. Lentils are healthy and very cheap. Not to mention delicious! This vegan soup uses plenty of spices to perk it up! The spicy smokiness is so satisfiying!

2 Tablespoons of canola oil
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 shallot, chopped
2 leeks, sliced thinly with the tough green part cut off
5 ruby fingerling potatos, sliced in rounds
2 carrots, sliced on the bias
1 parsnip, sliced on the bias
1 1/2 cups of red lentils, washed
1 cube of all vegetable chicken boullion
4 1/2 cups of water
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 Tablespoons of paprika
2 Teaspoons of cajun spice mix
salt and cracked black pepper to taste
liquid smoke

Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Saute shallot until soft, add garlic and saute for another minute. Add leeks and cook for a couple of minutes. Add water, boullion cube, vegetables and lentils. Increase the heat to high and bring just to a boil. Add paprika and cajun spice. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook at a low simmer until the lentils and vegetables are tender, approximately 20-25 minutes.
Remove bay leaf. Season to taste with salt, pepper and liquid smoke.